A photometric approach of fluorescent solar concentrators. Role of diffuse reflectors and spectral sensitivity of solar cells

Abstract A new photometric method has been developed for evaluation of the performances of fluorescent solar concentrators (FSC). This method allows to separate the relative contribution of the number of photons available at the output edge of the fluorescent plates, and the spectral matching of the radiant flux to the photovoltaic cell sensitivity. Experiments have been carried out on two plates : a plate of polymethylmethacrylate doped with an organic dye (DCM) and a ruby plate. The results show that the spectral matching to the cell sensitivity plays a minor role. The improvements in FSC efficiency thanks to diffuse reflectors are discussed in conjunction with the reabsorption effect and the defects of the matrix.